Why does my toe hurt?

Toe pain is a relatively common condition that affects a large number of individuals from time to time. The human foot is an incredibly complex structure which consists of twenty-six bones, bound together by muscles, tendons, ligaments, and numerous joints. Our feet are particularly susceptible to injury or recurring conditions, given the amount that we use our feet every single day.

It is worth paying attention to the slightest pain in the toes or feet, as some of these conditions, if allowed to worsen, may easily result in restricted movement or limited mobility for the individual.

If you find yourself complaining “my toe hurts,” that may be a symptom of something as simple as wearing inappropriately fitted shoes, or could be a sign of more serious conditions such as arthritis or Morton’s neuroma. In any case, pay careful attention to any kind of toe pain that may arise, in addition to other symptoms such as redness or swelling. Should you need to consult a doctor or seek further medical help, being able to describe your symptoms are an important factor in obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

There are different types of toe pain that one may encounter, and they may be broken down into these categories:

Pain in the toes when walking, running, or engaging in other forms of exercise.

Pain in the toes before or after exercise, but not during.

Continuous pain in toes and toe joints.

Sharp or shooting pain in toes, or more severe pain that limits movement.

Why does my big toe hurt? There may be multiple reasons for this, but no matter what type of toe pain you may have, it is always wise to consult a doctor to determine the exact cause. Even minor pain, inflammation or tingling sensations might in some instances be symptoms of more serious problems. Once you are sure of what the exact problem is home treatment will sometimes be sufficient to address the less serious conditions.

Physical injury is the most common cause of pain in the toes; this may be a result of splinters, cuts or open wounds, damage to the toe or toenail, the removal of a toenail, fractures, sprained or twisted joints, dislocated joints, inflammation, burns, or blisters. Less commonly, if your toe hurts this may be caused by common infections which have reached an acute stage, such as athlete’s foot (a fungal infection which often affects the toes), or cellulitis (a skin infection). Wounds affecting the toes that are left untreated or allowed to become septic could also be a cause of toe pain. Other factors that might influence common toe problems include: posture, gait (the way you walk), blood circulation, flat feet, or even high foot arches.

The following are a few other symptoms you should pay attention to. These include but are not limited to pain-related sensations: numbness, burning, soreness, joint pain, swollenness/swelling/inflammation, skin discoloration, and cold toes or lack of circulation.

The list that follows below details a number of common conditions and diseases that affect the toes and feet. They are frequently causes of significant pain in the toes and feet. Use the Symptom Checker to find out the possible causes of the toe pain. Most likely causes come to the top of the list.

Symptom Checker

It's my big toe

It's not a big toe

A visible deformity

Skin/nail damaged

It's something inside

An injury or trauma occured

The pain is tough at night

Inflamation / redness / heat

It's swollen

The toe is stiff

Bruise/discoloration

Arthritis

Arthritis is a term that covers a wide range of medical conditions, including osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, lyme disease, and osteoporosis. What all of these conditions have in common, however, is that they affect the joints, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. When arthritis occurs in the toe joints, the resulting toe pain experienced can be especially debilitating and severely restricts one’s range of movement. Arthritis may happen as a result of infection, autoimmune disease, daily wear and tear of the joint, trauma, or degenerative changes. Arthritic pain in the toes should be taken very seriously, and treatment should be sought to prevent the condition from worsening. (See also gout.)

Gout is a common form of arthritis, and it is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. When this happens, uric acid crystals get deposited in the joints, causing typical gout symptoms: pain, inflammation, redness, tenderness, heat, and stiffness. Gout is also known as podagra when it affects the big toe; this is where the first attack of gout usually occurs. The resulting pain and swollen toes are extremely unpleasant, but the good news is that the symptoms of early attacks usually improve within three to ten days. Treatment is advised, however. Gout disproportionately affects men; they are three to four times more likely to have the condition than women. Other factors that might increase your risk of having gout: being overweight, having a close relative who has the condition, having diabetes, long-term kidney problems, and significant consumption of alcohol. If left untreated, gout can cause permanent damage to the joints, so it is important to treat early attacks or any other form of inflammation or pain in the toe joints, when they first arise.

Hallux is the medical term for the big toe, while limitus and rigidus refer to different stages of the same condition. Hallux limitus refers to decreased motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (the joint at the base of the big toe), which is caused by premature wearing down or deterioration of the joint cartilage. Hallux rigidus refers to a later stage of this condition where very little to no motion of this joint exists. If your big toe hurts this could be due to one of these conditions; additionally, stiffness in the joint and toe, and swelling and inflammation may also be noticeable. The condition often causes a sharp pain deep in the joint of the toe, and toe pain when walking or running may be especially disturbing. Walking or running barefoot may also aggravate the condition. If not treated, Hallux limitus often progresses to a more advanced stage, with decreased motion and increased pain as time goes on.

Bunions commonly occur at the base joint of the big toe or the little toe. Oftentimes when people complain “my big toe hurts,” bunions may be the culprit. They may simply be described as a bump, or as a protrusion of bone or tissue on the side of a joint. Hallux valgus is the condition where the big toe (the hallux) begins to deviate inward, i.e. towards the second toe. When this happens, the bunion begins to form around the base joint, or metatarsal joint. This condition tends to run in families, and worsens over time. Bunions may cause a lot of foot pain and sharp pain in the toe joint, depending on the severity of the condition. The symptoms and amount of discomfort experienced varies among individuals. Some individuals may experience extreme discomfort, foot pain, and toe pain when walking or performing everyday tasks. If this is the case, surgery is a possibility. A surgeon who performs a bunionectomy will remove any excess tissue from the affected area, and realign the affected joint.

Hallux varus is also a condition that affects the big toe. As opposed to hallux valgus, the condition in which the big toe turns inwards, hallux varus describes the condition in which the big toe begins to deviate outward, towards the other foot. This condition may be a congenital deformity, a result of trauma to the foot, or the result of a failed bunionectomy. If the condition is mild, meaning the toe remains flexible and no toe pain or stiffness develops as a result, then usually no treatment is necessary. However, symptoms can include blisters and pain from rubbing against the inside of shoes worn, and possibly pain in the toe from an ingrown nail (which is also a possible side effect of the condition). If there is significant discomfort, correction methods and/or surgery may be necessary.

Corns are calluses, or thickenings of the skin, that often take a specific shape. They may have a dry, waxy, or translucent appearance, and the skin around the hard center of the corn may also be inflamed. These skin growths tend to be conical or circular, and often occur on the tops of fingers and toes. Corns in these areas can be especially annoying and painful. Often, they are the result of friction and repetitive actions, and even if surgically removed, the irritated areas might continue to produce corns. Hence, substantial changes need to be made to better care for the affected areas, in order to limit the pain in fingers and toes that this condition can cause. Choosing well-fitted footwear that reduces pressure points or points of friction between the shoe and your foot is a good preventative measure, one which would already reduce the risk of general foot and toe pain. Further, if you already have a bunion or a hammertoe, the risk of getting corns is higher, so extra care should be taken.

An ingrown toenail happens when the side of a toenail grows into and pierces the surrounding skin. The symptoms of this condition include sensitivity to pressure, pain along the sides of the nail, and toe pain when wearing tight footwear. Ingrown nails are in fact linked to the use of footwear in general (particularly ill-fitting footwear), and are not found among people and cultures that tend to go barefoot. Ingrown nails are easily infected, and may cause significant pain in the toe. Signs of infection include swelling, redness, bleeding, and pus.

Toe fractures are a relatively common occurrence, and most cases can be cared for at home; a cast and/or surgery are generally not required. You will probably encounter pain in the toe(s) while walking or running; additionally, there might be swelling and bruising of the affected area. Broken or fractured toes are usually the result of a direct trauma such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy item on it, or they could be stress fractures. A stress fracture is one that happens as a result of repetitive movements; athletes are particularly susceptible to this type of injury. Medical help should be sought if: the fracture breaks through the skin, the pain in the toe is severe or becomes worse, the inflammation does not improve after a few days, or your toes are numb or tingling. In the last case this may signal damage to the nerves.

A hammer toe is a condition which affects the second, third, and fourth toes. In this condition the toe is abnormally bent at the proximal interphalangeal joint (the middle joint of the toe), such that the joint juts out and resembles a hammer. Mallet toe is a similar condition that affects the distal interphalangeal joint (the first joint of the toe, closest to the nail).These conditions are mainly caused by tight-fitting shoes with little toe room, which put undue pressure on the toes. They may also be caused by muscle or nerve damage resulting from other conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or a stroke. The individual with hammer or mallet toe may experience pain in the toe and limited movement of the joint. If this is the case, and if there is persistent toe pain when walking, you should probably seek medical help. Corns and calluses are common side effects of a hammer or mallet toe.

Morton’s Neuroma is a nerve condition which usually affects the nerve between the third and fourth toe, but it could happen to a nerve between any two toes. The condition is caused by pressure from the metatarsal bones against the particular nerve. This irritation of the nerve, in turn, leads to a thickening of the tissue surrounding the nerve. Morton’s neuroma may initially cause a tingling sensation, but can eventually lead to sharp, shooting pain at the base of the toes or in the ball of the foot. Cramping, numbness, a burning sensation, and tenderness are other symptoms of this condition. Women are more commonly affected by Morton’s neuroma. Other groups which are also at risk include: those who wear high-heeled shoes, those who engage in regular exercise, particularly running, and those who have a high foot arch. Restrictive footwear may also be an aggravating cause.

Sprains are a condition in which the ligaments of a joint have been damaged by being stretched beyond their normal capacity. Ankle sprains are common, but toe sprains can happen too as a result of many situations, such as dancing, kicking a ball, stubbing your toe against something, landing awkwardly, hiking, climbing, or engaging in other rigorous sports activities. Symptoms that may point to a sprained toe are fairly similar to the symptoms of other toe injuries; the individual may experience toe pain, swelling, bruising, and limited movement of the joint. While sprains can cause a significant amount of pain in the toe, generally home care is sufficient to care for this injury. However, it may be wise to seek medical care to ensure the diagnosis of the injury is correct.

Turf Toe is an injury common among athletes, particularly those that train or compete on artificial surfaces, which are harder than natural or grass surfaces. The term “turf toe” is used to describe a sprain of the ligaments surrounding the big toe. This may happen when the toe gets jammed and is suddenly forced at an awkward angle, or it may happen from repeated movements like jumping, which places extra stress on this toe from the push-off motion. A sharp or shooting pain in the toe may be experienced in the case of a sudden injury, and other typical symptoms would include swelling and limited movement of the joint.
It may take two to three weeks for toe pain to subside, but to facilitate a full recovery the sore toe and foot should be properly rested and protected from further aggravation and injury. A good preventative measure would be to wear cleats or shoes with sufficient support, ones that protect the big toe from excess bending and force.

Bursas are fluid-filled sacs that exist for the purpose of cushioning and lubrication, usually around joints and between tendons and bones. When a bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is called bursitis. In feet, bursitis can often affect the heel, the ball of the foot, and the base of the big toe, the second toe, and the little toe. Symptoms include pain in the toes and other affected areas, swelling, redness, tenderness and loss of movement. Bursitis may be caused by general stress on the foot, infection, or other conditions such as arthritis, gout, or Haglund’s deformity (a bony enlargement on the heel of the foot). Other risk factors include: contact sports, exposure to cold weather, inadequate warm up and stretching before and after exercise, and any kind of repetitive movements. For example, people who have to kneel a lot, such a gardeners, have a high risk of developing bursitis in their knees.

“Stone bruise” is a colloquial term for metatarsalgia, which simply means “metatarsal pain.” This is most commonly experienced as pain or swelling in the ball of the foot. The pain experienced varies depending on the severity of the condition; the individual may also experience tingling, numbness, or shooting pain in the toes. Metatarsalgia happens when there is damage to the metatarsal bones in the foot, which are the long bones that connect the ankle to the toe bones. Some typical causes of metatarsalgia are: ill-fitting shoes, obesity, and high-intensity exercise. In most cases, the condition is preventable; a good way to start is by wearing good shoes with sufficient support.

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